While having dinner in a Boothbay Harbor restaurant, I overheard a tourist at another table telling his dining companions how much he liked Maine. He said back home it was so built up and everyone drove so fast. He thought it was great to finally get to Maine and to Route 27 to Boothbay Harbor. Every mile on Route 27 was so rural and so beautiful and it was so nice to take it slow and enjoy the wonderful views. And the people were so friendly! They would always line up in back of him and toot their horns and wave their hands out the windows to let him know which views were their favorites.

Perception certainly has an effect. Last Wednesday Debby Virgin cooked a chicken dinner for the Public Supper. She is one of two chefs who are cooking a trial meal. After the meal this week a decision will be made regarding who will be the “Cook” at the Senior Center for the next year.

My perception was that the meal Debby prepared was very good. She had soup and salad to start things off. The soup was a homemade corn chowder, not to thick and not too thin, good chunks of potato and kernels of corn and so delicious. The main course was baked chicken breast, mashed potatoes with gravy, carrots and peas. The food was hot, the dishes were warm and every bite was very good. For dessert there was chocolate cake with homemade frosting. It was “Birthday Night” so dessert had to be cake with a candle for each person having a birthday in July.

To me it was a perfect, basic meal. It could be described as a “blue plate special” of olden times. I like meals like that. I think many of our diners over the years have appreciated that kind of meal that our mothers or grandmothers would prepare for supper.

The meal was a good reason to get together with friends and family. Also during the first dinner of the month, all birthdays for the month are recognized. For some reason, each year there have always been a large number of people in attendance having a birthday in July. This year we had seven birthday people. Of course I always have said that birthdays are excellent excuses to party. Yes, the parties are a bit more toned down now as the years mount up, but talking and laughing with friends while enjoying chocolate cake is still fun.

What was your perception of the meal last week? What is your perception of the Senior Center? Do we add a spirit of community to the Community Center?

The cribbage tournament winners on Tuesday, July 8 were Jane LaBreck first, Ken Colby second, Ann Merry third, Joan Grondin low score and Leol Corson and Sally Sherman tied for the high hand. The cribbage tournament winners on Thursday, July 10 were Phoebe Cromwell first, Dick Barnard second, Duane Lewis third, Dick Grondin low score and David Greenleaf had the high hand.  

Public supper next week:

(Reservations, please! Call 207-882-8230 at least two days in advance for meal reservations.)

Wednesday, July 23: TBA. Please see the sign in front of the Community Center.